Sunday, October 30, 2011

Adding a deck to your backyard can add value to your home and provide endless days of backyard fun and barbecuing! Before you get started, take a look at the permit requirements!

Firstly, a building permit is required. The cost of the permit is based on the value of the project at hand. You'll also have to provide a deck plan which displays the following information:

A. Size and depth of footing
B. Type of footing forms
C. Size and spacing of posts
D. Type of lumber
E. Size of beams
F. Size and spacing of joists
G. Type of floor boards
H. Height of deck off of the ground
I. Height and design of guardrail
J. Size of the deck
K. Distance to property lines
L. Plans should be drawn on an 8 1/2 x 11 OR 11 x 17 piece of paper

You must also adhere to a number of rules and guidelines. Below is a sample of those rules to give you an idea:

A. Footings must be at least 42" deep, 8" in diameter. Footing forms must be cardboard tubes.
B. Deck footings are subject to frost heave. Deeper and wider footings will help to prevent this.
C. All wooden members of the deck must be treated or must be rot resistant.
D. Posts must be anchored to prevent movement.
E. Beam end joints and splices must be made over posts. Beams bolted to posts must have at least two 1/2" carriage bolts staggered on each post.
F. Guardrail decks most than 30" off of the ground require a guardrail of at least 36" in height so that a 4" object cannot pass through.
G. The maximum rise on the stairs is 7 3/4". Maximum opening in risers is 4".
H. Continuous handrails are required for four or more stair risers.
I. Deck must be completed within six months of permit issuance.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Stop! Before you put up that commercial sign, you need to secure a permit! In addition to a permit application, the following items must be included before you hang or erect a commercial sign.

For wall signs:
-An illustration of the building on which the sign will be attached, as well as the sign's dimensions. For individually leased tenant spaces, the wall size is determined by the height and width of the wall for that specific lease space.
-An illustration of the sign and its dimensions. Be sure to include a cross-sectional illustration of the mounting and depth.
-Materials to be used.

For freestanding signs:
-An illustration of the sign and its dimensions.
-An illustration and dimensions of the sign's footings.
-A site plan illustrating the location and setback of the sign.

Include all of these items with your permit application and you're well on your way to getting that sign up! For more information, contact us at Your Permit Solution!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Replacing the siding on your home will always require a permit. In addition to a completed permit application, there are several requirements involved with replacing siding. The comprehensive list below includes those requirements:

• Kick-out flashing/diverters are required at all roof/wall intersections.

• When siding is removed, a sheathing inspection is required to determine the condition of the sheathing and the locations of mechanical intake and exhaust vents.

• Remove all rotted sheathing,framing and insulation. An inspection is required for framing repairs.

• An inspection is required for the weather resistive barrier/house wrap. House wrap shall be installed shingle fashion. Vertical laps shall be at least 6 inches. Horizontal laps shall be at least 2 inches. House wrap needs to be lapped over shingle tins, drip caps, and other horizontal flashing.

• Fan fold foam insulation is not allowed as a substitute for a weather resistive barrier/house wrap.

• Flashing shall be installed to prevent water from entering building.

• Flashing is required at all window and door openings, mechanical openings, horizontally at masonry and stone, all wood and metal trim, deck and porch ledgers, and at all roof/wall intersections.

• In addition, all doors and windows require drip caps.

• Mechanical intake and exhaust vents shall not be altered or replaced unless the new vents meet code requirements.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Securing a permit
before any project your begin on your home is extremely important. Check
out this story about a man who decided to begin constructing a workshop
in his yard without researching and securing the proper permit.

The
Problem

"John
Thomas (not the real name) purchased a home. Several months after moving
in, he decided he wanted a workshop out back where he could pursue his
hobby of building furniture. John started building a 20- by 30-foot
workshop and had completed it within a couple of months.

Shortly
afterward, John received a letter stating that he had built his shop
without getting a review of the building plans by the neighborhood
association. The letter further stated that his building was not
suitable and was to be torn down. John was upset but just ignored the
letter, thinking it was the work of a few disgruntled neighbors. Later
John received a legal summons and complaint served by the sheriff's
department. John would now have to go to court to explain and argue his
case.

John
showed up in court and pleaded his case to the judge. The judge was
polite but read John the specific language in the restrictions that
prohibited John from building a workshop without the written consent and
approval of the association. John's workshop did not blend in with the
homes. The judge ordered John to tear down his workshop.

This
was a very costly lesson for John. The workshop had cost him thousands
of dollars and he would now need to store his expensive power tools and
go back to the committee for approval for another, more pleasing
workshop. His entire family now harbors bad feelings for the
neighborhood association and they are considering moving simply because
John was not aware of the neighborhood restrictions."

Lesson
Learned

"John
should have had his agent or lawyer obtain a complete set of restrictions
and covenants for the subdivision and he should have read them very
carefully. If he had done so, he would have known that he needed to take
his building plans to the neighborhood committee for review. If you ever
find yourself in a similar situation, get approval in writing and follow
your plans to the letter. While they may be inconvenient at times,
neighborhood restrictions are actually a good thing because they help
preserve the value of homes in the neighborhood. Don't become a John
Thomas. Research and review your restrictions and make sure to get a
building permit once the board approves your plans."

Before you being a project, contact us at Your Permit Solution to secure the necessary permits and avoid the situation John found himself in.